No patta for 3,000 families occupying land for 200 yrs

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Nearly 3,000 families enjoying ownership of land for over two centuries in ward nos 12, 13 and 19 of Pernambut Municipality are being denied house site pattas, sources revealed.

Vellore:

The residents plan to stage an agitation in front of the town bus stand soon. “We plan to first agitate, pass resolutions to this effect and then meet the CLA (Commissioner Land Administration) at Chennai with the resolutions within a week,” said G Suresh Kumar, an affected resident.

The issue pertains to the fact that the town was once ruled by the Arcot Nawabs who handed down parcels of land to those they favoured. “The benefit today is actually a curse as we have no pattas in our names though the houses we presently live in have been handed down through successive generations,” VK Govindasamy another resident said.

“Though we are able to sell our land and houses and register them in the nearby sub registrar’s office, we are unable to avail any type of loans from commercial banks as the patta is the base record,” added Suresh Kumar.

Inquiries reveal that the deeds carry the legend that the land was given free (inam) and hence revenue officials said this cannot be the basis for issue of pattas. “The original land deed has not been included in the village records, including the chitta, adangal and the concerned registers which is a must for pattas,” said a revenue official. Former Pernambut councillor Meeranji C Saleem said, “District revenue officials are aware of the issue but still refuse to help.”

“We will have no option, but to go to court if our visit to the CLA fails,” noted Suresh Kumar.